Terminal



July 31, 1928. 1,678,745

N. C. SCHELLENGER TERMINAL I Filed Aug. 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 NCtl/ifi? C. 5077621872957" 'MZMW July 31, 1928. 1,678,745

N. c. SCHELLENGER TERMINAL Filed Aug. 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 53 12. iZ/Q, 13.

I, I 4-511mm" mu!!! WA/Z Patented July 31, .1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.NEWTON C. SOEELLENGER, OF ELKHAR'I', INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO TELEPHONE SUPPLY 00., OF ELKHART, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TERMINAL.

Application filed August 5, 1925. Serial No. 48,265.

My invention, in general, relates to terminals and more particularly to cord tip jacks.

As is well known to those versatile with the present art, it is customary to employ jacks and plugs for connecting electrical conductors. In many cases, certain of these conductors are equipped with tips commonly referred to as cord tips. Obviously, in order to connect the cord tips to the ordinar type of jack, it is essential that these tips rst be associated with a plug adapted to enter and cooperate with the jack. Th1s necess1tates the provision of two diflerent pleces of electrical apparatus in order to accomplish the desired connection; namely, the plug and 'ack. 3 Now with the advance and rapid growth of the art of radio communication simpler and less expensive forms of electrical apparatus are demanded in order to meet the requirements of this art. This is particularly true in the case of portable radio receiving .sets where it is desirable to manufacture the sets of minimum size and weight and, hence, of a minimum number of parts.

I propose to eliminate the necessity of a plug and to provide a jack adapted to receive a cord tip instead of a plug.

My invention is unusually advantageous and has considerable utility in connection with the hooking up of head sets and loud speakers with radio receiving outfits. At the present time the head set or loud speaker is connected to the radio receiving set through the means of a suitable plug and jack. Through my invention it is possible to connect the loud speaker and head set to the radio receiving set without the necessity of a plug. The cord tips on the conductors of the cords associated with the head sets and loud speaker are merely inserted into my novel cord tip jacks. Each of my jacks are equipped with a simple locking mechanism which is adapted to tightly hold the cord tip in place. Also, each jack is furnished with an element for releasing the locking means to permit the removal of the" cord tip from the jack.

I desire 1t understood that my invention is not to be limited. in its use in connection with radio receiving outfits, for it ma be used with equal advantage wherever 1t is desired to connect a plurality of conductors to a common terminal. Also, it is adapted for use as a. connector between two conductors, as in the case of extension cords.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved terminal mechanisms.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cord tip jack.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved connector for connecting electrical conductors.

Other objects and advantages of the resent invention will more fully appear rom the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof and in which Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a pair ofmy novel jacks or terminals mounted in a sulta le panel; I

Fig. 2 is a sideelevational view of one of the jacks illustrated in Fig. 1 taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of my novel jack taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating my novel locking and releasing mechanism in which the locking mechanism is shown gripping a cord tip;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating the manner in which my novel releasing mechanism functions to render the locking mechanism ineffective andto permit the cord tip to be removed from the jack;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3, illustrating the novel manner in which the releasing sleeve is prevented from being removed from the associated thimble;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows illustrating the applicants novel locking element or shackle;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view illustrating a novel arrangement of the applicants jacks in a panel;

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 7 showing the manner in whch four of the applicants jacks may be connected a pair dammit, as. or the- -10 of Fig. 9';-

ran ement wherebymy'novel jacks may be used in conjunction with a jack plug; I

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Fig. 11 is a front view of the mounting illustrated in Fig. 9;

' Fig. 12 's a sectional view. illustrating how apair of cord ti may be connected to a common terminal t rough the means of my novel ack;

Fig. 13 is a view showing how my invention may be used in connection with a connector for extension rial. Such tips are well known in-the pres \ent art and it is thou ht that no further elucidation need be ma e thereon. The end Y cords and the like;

Fig. 15 is a fragmenta sectional view showing a modified form 0 sleeve or releasmechanism;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a.modified form of cordti jack; Fig. 17 and i- 18 are sectlonal views of two other mod cations of my invention;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line. 19-19 of Fig. 18; and

Fig. 20 is a view showing a modified form of spring and binding element for the ack illustrated in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail in which. like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views, denotes a mounting plate or anel such as, that employed in radio receiving sets. This plate 25 may be made of any sulta'ole insulating material, such, for example, as rubber or the like. In Fig. 1 I have illustrated a pair of cord tip jacks embodied with the features of my invention. Since both of these jacks are identical in construction, a description of one'willsufiice for both.

Mounted in an aperture 26 in the panel 25v is a thimble 27. One end of the thimble 27 is provided with a shoulder or head 28 which abuts the face of the panel 25. This head is preferably made like a nut and is hexagonal inform. This is 'to enable 1t to be gripped by a wrench or the like for tightening, as will more fully appear as the present description pro esses. The opposite end 29 of the thimb e 27 is threaded (Fig. 3). The'thimble. 27 is equipped w1th a central bore 30 which is countersunk at one 'end 31.

Screwed onto the thimble 27 is a bent element 32 which Iterm a terminal nut. One leg 33 of this terminal nut 32, when screwed tightly in place, abuts the rear face of the pa-nel'25. The other leg 34 of this terminal nut 32 is furnished with a threaded aperture 35 in which is disposed a round head bolt 36 which serves as a binding post, -as shall be more fully described hereinafter.

Y tacked.

front view of the mounting illustrated in-Fig. 12;

' Fig. 14 is a more or less diagrammatic- The thimble 27 the nut 32.

. may. rla

be made of-ariy suitable. metallic mate j In practice have obtained the best results by making both of these elements out of brass. The terminal nut 32 performs two functions, o'ne'of which is to tightly hold the thimble 27 in position in the panel 25,,

and the other is to serve as a terminal "to whlch an electrical conductor may be ate Telescopin provided wit an annular shoulder 38 and a central bore 39 ta cred at one end 40 to accommodate a cor .tip 41' attached to a cord 42. The cord 42'ma befastened to the cord' tip 41 in any esirable manner.

The tip 41 may be of any u's'ualconstruction and'may be made of any suitable mateinner wall of the thimble 27 (Fig. 3). The

shoulder 46 is formed by the countersunk portion 31 of the bore 30 of the thimble.

The sleeve 37, in practice, is first placed within the thimble 27 with its annular shoulder 38 adjacent the shoulder or head- 28 of thimble 27. Then a suitable instrument is inserted in the countersunk end 31 the thimble 27 isa sleeve 37" of the thimble and the sleeve is, p'eened in the four places previously discussed. This construction permits of the sleeve being moved back and forth within the thimble,

drawn therefrom. That is to say, upon the peens or projections 45 coming in contact with the annular shoulder 46 of the thimble, further outward movement of the sleeve is stopped. Y Y

The sleeve 37 may be made of any desirable metallic material having the required electrical ualities. I find that brass is. the most suita le material to make this sleeve but prevents it from. being completely with:

out of. The tip 41 is also preferably made to the panel 25 by the said leg portion.33.

The other leg 34 of the terminal nut 32 is not circular in shape, but preferably a. short straight portion.

Y Disposed within the countersunk portion 31 of the bore 30 of the thimble 27 is a binding element 'or'shackle havmg integral therewith a lug or projection 51 (Fig;

6). Although the binding element or shackle of my novel jack may be ade of any suitable material, I have obta d' the best results by making it out of steel and the spring 54 bears against the turned-down portion or peened edge 55 of the thinlble 27. In practice, the shackle 50 is first inserted in the bore 31 with its projection 51in place in the aperture 52-. Then the sprin is placed in the bore 31-and theedge 55 o the thimble 27 is peened b a. suitable instrument as, for anexamp e, a small hammer.

The shackle or binding element '50 is equipped with a central aperture through which the end 61 of the tip 41 is adapted to pass. It should also be noted that the end 61 of the tip is adapted to pass through the spring 54. A small part of the lower portion of the bmdlng element 50' is bent into a curve and rounded, so as to prevent it from being caught by the peens on the end.- of the sleeve 37. I have indicated this rounded portion of the shackle by the reference numeral 62, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The operation of my cord tip jack or terminal, which I shall hereinafter refer to in its entirety by the reference numeral 65, is believed to be obvious. Normally, due to the manner in which the shackle is positioned within the bore 31, the spring will urge it towards the end of the sleeve 37, as

shown in Fig. 3. The lower edge of the shackle or binding element 50 through the urging force of the compression spring 54, will force the sleeve 37 outwardly as far as the peens 45 will permit it to go. (Fig. 3.) When a cord tip 41 is inserted into the sleeve 37, the end 61 of the cord tip engages the slanting aperture in the slanting binding element or shackle 50. In order to enter sleeve, the urging tendency of the spring 54 p must be overcome and the shackle or bind-- ing element 50 must be moved out of its slanting position." This may be accomplished b'yslightly pressing on the endor ead 38 of the sleeve 37 and ushing 1t mwardiy toward the spring 54. he peened edge 0 the sleeve thereupon engages the turned and 62 of the bindin element or shackle 50, pushing it towar s the spring 54 'andcompressing the spring. This naturally-"relieves the end 61 of the binding effect previously mentioned. That is to say, by moving the binding element 50 out of its slanting osition, it no longer binds the tip 41 and, ence, the tip may be'very easily withdrawn. I

Thus it will be seen that not only have I provided a very eflicientcord tip jack, but I have provided novel means for looking it in the jack, as well as novel means for releasing the look when it is desired to remove the tip from the jack.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have illustrated how four cord tips may be connected through my novel cord tip jack to two terminals. One pair of tips may belong'to a cord of a loud speaker and the'other pair of tips ma belong to a cord of a head receiver, or both pairs may belong to two sets of head receivers. Now, as was mentioned in the fore art of the present application, it is desirabl to connect a plurality of such electrical instruments to a radio receiving outfit with a minimum number of parts having a minimum amount of weight. In Fig. 7 I have illustrated four of my novel jacks 65 mounted in thepanel 25. It is evident that by connecting the terminal nuts of one pair of jacks to a common conductor and by connecting the terminal nut of the otherpair of jacks to a common conductor, it is possible to' connect the cord tips associated with the jacks to a single pair of conductors.

In Fig. 8 a new form of terminal nut 66 is shown. Two of these nuts 66 are adapted to take the place of four of the other type of terminal nuts 32. The terminal nut 66 is much the same as the terminal nut 32, with the exception that one of its legs is provided with two threaded apertures instead of one. Each terminal nut is adapted to clamp two thimbles in place and to connect two jacks to a common terminal 67.

In Figs. 9, 10 and 11 I have illustrated the manner in which two or more pairs of tips Ill) or conductors may be connected to a common plug. Plug 70 may be of any usual construction and is provided with a cord 71 which may have two conductors 72 and 73. The plug 70 is adapted to enter a suitable two terminal jack. Associated with the end .of the cord 71 is a housing 75 provided with a panel 76 made of rubber or the like.

Mounted in the panel 76 are four jacks. 77,

which are thesame as my jacks 65 with the exception of the terminal nut. In this emj meral 80. This connector comprises a block;

.of the block are then out 01f. The

bodiment I have provided a terminal nut 78 which is adapted to receive two thimbles and to hold them in place instead of one. Each terminal nut, however, has only one terminal or binding post 79. The conductor 72 is connectedto one binding post and the conductor 73 is connected to the other. The panel 76 may be fastened to the housing or casing 7 in any desirable manner and the plug cord 71 is preferably inserted into the housing through an a erture 80 in the wall of the casing or housmg. By insertin the endsof four conductors into the four acks 77 they may all be connected to a common plug 70. I desire it understood, however, that although I have shown four jacks as being the preferred number,'it is tobe understood .that I intend to .cover any other analogous arrangement which may ac:omo-. date four or more tips and that the present invention is to be limited only in so far as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 1

In Figs. 12 and 13 I have illustrated a novel'connector by which a pair of jacks substantially like that disclosed'in the first fig- -ures of the present case may be connected to a common conductor. The conductor is designated in its entirety by the reference nuof some suitable insulating material having a pair of holes 81 at one end and a single hole 82 intermediate the holes 81 at the other end.. Since both of the jacks illustrated in this embodiment of my invention are sub stantially alike, a description of one will suf-' -fice for the other. The jack shall be hereinafter referred to by the reference numeral 83. This jack comprises a thimble 84 threaded into the hole or aperture 81. Telescoping the thimble is a sleeve 85 which is held in the thimble in the same manner as the sleeve 37 is held in the thimble 27. Disposed within the thimble is a binding element'or, shackle which is'identical to -that illustrated in my jack 65. A spring .86 is dis osedwithin the thimble and differs from t e spring 54 of,

my jack only in that one of its ends abuts the insulating block instead of the ed e of the thimble, as in the case of my jac 65. Associated with the jacks 83 are cords 88 and tips 89. A cord 90 is inserted in the aperture 82 and its conductors 91 and 92 have their ends bared of the insulation. In aspull one of the conductors into each of they oles or apertures 81. Then the thimbles arescrewed into place, tightly holding the conductors in place and establlshing an electrical connection therewith. The ends of the conductors sticking out of the'apertures 81 ration of these two jacks 83 is substantia ly like that of my jack 65 and it is therefore thought that no further elaboration need be made thereon.

The connector provides an ideal way of awire 102 and the lower pair are connected by a wire 103. A cord 105 has a pair of cord tips 106 adapted to enter one pair of jacks on one side of the connector 100, and a cord 107 has a pair of tips 108 adapted to enter the other pair of acks. Thus .it will be seen that I have provided aivery novel way of connecting two pairs of cord tips.

In Fig. 15 I have illustrated fragmentarily a slight modification of the jack 83 illustrated in Fig. 12. The modification has to do with the sleeve 110. The sleeve 110 is practically-the same as the sleeve 37 of my ack 65, with the exception that it has a strai ht bore 111. The sleeve in this case is a apted to" receive a conductor rather than a cord tip. That is to say, the jack in this particular instance,'by a slight modification of the sleeve, is enabled to receive an ordinary conductor without any tip thereon. Therefore, it is evident that b 'a slight modification, my novel jack may adapted to receive conductors other than cord tips.

The conductor 112 of a wire 113 is inserted into the bore 111 of the sleeve and is held in place by the binding element or shackle 114 in the same way as the way the cord tip is held in'place in my jackv 65.

s In Fig. 16 I have illustrated a modified-' form of jack, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 120. The jack comprises a block 121 of insulating material.

equippedwith a central bore 122'and two apertures 123 and 124.- The end of the aperture 122 is threaded and is closed up by a small cap 125 threaded therein. 7 The cap 125 isprovided with a lug 126. around which is disposed a spring 127. Disposed within the bore 122 is a shackle or binding element preferably circular in contour. This shackle has a lug 131 projecting into an aperture 133 in the wall of the block 121.

. The element 130, is equipped with a stud 133 around which the end of the spring 127 is disposed. Disposed within the hole or aperture 133 is a pin or rod eg with a small knob 141 on one en The other endl of this rod or pin projects into the bore 122. The end of the pin within the bore 122 is peened at 143 to prevent the pin llll ipped from bein drawn out of the aperture 123.

I The peene end 143 of the pin 140 abuts the face of the'binding element or shackle 130. Upon-the insertion of a cord tip 150 of a cord 151 into'the aperture 124, the end'152- of the cord tip encounters the lower portion of the binding element 130, moving it'up wardly slightly. ,This movement is permltted due to the way in which the binding element is positioned within the bore 122, and due to the lug 131 projecting into the aperture 132. After the cord tip once in cord ti a position intermediate the cap 126 and the inner face of the binding element of the shackle 130.

The end of the cord tip 150 when in locked position, abuts a small metallic stud 159' suitably fastened to the inner wall of the block 121. This stud serves the double purpose of providing a stop for the end of the and for establishing an electrical connection between thec'ord 151 and a cord 160. The cord 160 enters the block 121 through an aperture 161. -The conductor of the cord 160 1s suitably fastened to a binding post 162 on the stud 159.

The operation of this jack is substantially like that of my previously described jack 65. Upon the insertion of a cord tip in the aperture 124, the binding element 130 firmly grips it in a locked position. Whenever it is desired to remove the cord tip, it is necessary to overcome the binding effect of the shackle 130. I accomplish this throu h the 1 pin 140, which may be made of a suita le in sulating material, if it is so desired. By pressing on the knob 141 of the pin 140, the tension of the spring may be overcome and the binding elementmoved out of engagement with the end of the cord tip, thereby permitting the easy removal of the cord tip.

In Fig. 17 I have illustrated still another form of a jack. This form of jack is much the same as the one illustrated in the first figures of the drawing matter with the exception that the spring has been omitted and a simpler construction provided. In this embodiment 180 denotes a panel or mounting and 181 a thimble mounted in the panel and securely held in place by a terminal nut 182 threaded thereon. One end of the thimble has a nut shaped head 187 for engaging the front face of the panel. The

other end of the thimble is threaded for receiving the terminal nut 182.

Mounted in the thimble 181 is a sleeve 183 provided with ahead portion at one end 188 and a plurality ofpeens or projections 184 at the other end for preventm itsremoval from the thimble. Secured to the leg 189 of the terminal nut 182 'bya screw 186 is a flex- 1ble binding element 185. The end of this flexible element is adapted to engage'the end 191 of a cord (is 190 when it is inserted in the sleeve 183. V note the binding action set up by the element 185, the cord tip 190 is lqcked in the 'ack. When it is desired to remore the cor ti from the jack, the sleeve 183 must bepus ed inwardly to move the end of the ilexible element 185' out of engagement with the end 191' of the cord tip,

thereby preventing the binding action and permitting the tip to be easily removed from the sleeve.

Q In Fig. 18 I have illustrated still another modification of my invention. In this form of my invention, the binding element is omitted entirel and a split sleeve is used in place of thes eeve 37 used in my jack 65. The other parts bein .the same as those used in my aek 65, Is all employ the same reference numerals to designate them. The thimble 27 is mounted in the panel 25 and held in place therein by the terminal nut 32. Mounted in the thimble 27, is a split sleeve 200 comprisin two parts. A slight space 201 is provide between the parts, as shown in Fig. 19. 'The inner end of the sleeve is peened at 202 so as to permit it to enga e the shoulder 46 on the inner wall of the t imble to thus prevent it from'being removed from-the thimble. Disposed intermediate the peened end of the sleeve. 200

and the peened edge 55 of-the thimble is the spring 54.

' Normally the sleeve will be urged-outwardly by the sprin 54 until its peened edge engages the shou der 46 on the thimble. Upon the insertion of a cord tip in the sleeve, the parts are spread away fromeach other.

This is-permitted due .to the slot or space Y 201 between the two parts of the sleeve. After the cord tip is once in place, the spring 54 urges the peened edge of thesleeve into contact with the shoulder 46, drawing the two parts at their inner ends together, causing them to tightly embrace the iimer end.

of the cord tip, holding it in place. The cord tip may be very easily removed by slightly pressing on the sleeve 200 and pushing it inwardly against the urging tendency of the spring 54, thereby permittlng the inner ends of the two parts of the sleeve to separate and enable the ready removal of.

the cord tip.

In Fig. 20 is shown a fragmentary section of the thimble 27 illustrated in Fig. 3. In' this thimble I have substituted a comcal shapedsprin 250 for the spring 54' and another form 0 binding element 251 for the element 50. The spring 250 has this advantageover the spring 54, namely, of more clearance between it and the inner wall of the thimble. Hence, less of its effectiveness is dissipated due to friction and it can function both'more freely and pos tively. In other words, it has a nicety of action not to be found in the case of spring 54. The binding element 251 is substantially like the element 5 0 with the exception that it does not have a boss 53 for the spring.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated an .identlfication ta jacks. T e tag is provided with a suitable a rture (not shown) through which the tlii mble passes. The head 27 serves to tight- -1 -hold it against the anel 25. Any suitable data may be inscri ed on the tag as, for example, ound antenna and so forth. Such av tag -w'l enable the insertion of a cord tip in its roper jack. Althoug I have disclosed and described in detail several of the embodiments of-my invention, it'is of course to be understood that it is only to be limited in so far as defined by the scope and spirit of the claims .hereto attached. 4 I claim v p l 1. In a jack, a tubular member for receiving a conductor, and binding means 1ncluding a relatively thin ring-like element throu h which the conductor'is adapted to exten ,arranged to tightly grip a portion of said conductor to prevent the removal of the conductor from the ask.-

2. In a jack, 'a' tubu ar member for receiving a conductor, shackling means including a binding washer-like element connected to the member arranged'to tightly grip a portion of said conductor to prevent the removal of the conductor from the jack, and resilient means disposed in said tubular member for urging said element into gripping engagement with said conductor.

3. In a ack, a tubular member for receivin a con uctor, binding means including a re atively thin ring-like element through which the conductor is adapted to' extend, arranged to tightly grip a portion of said conductor to prevent the removal of the conductor from thejack, and release means extending into said tubular member for overcoming the gripping action of said element to ermit removal of the conductor from the an 4. In a ia'ck, a tubular member for receivin a con uctor, shackling means including a inding washer-like element connected to the member arran ed totightly grip a portion of said condiictor to prevent the removal of the conductor from the jack, resilient means disposed in said tubular member for. urgingsaid element into gripping en- 260 associated with one of the gagement with said conductor, and release means extending into said tubular member for overcoming the urging action of said resilient means and for moving the said element out of gripping engagement with the said conductor to. permit removal of the conductor from the jack.

5. In combination, a tubular member for receivin a .conductor, a ring-like element dispose in said member through which element the conductor is ada ted to extend, said element having a latera extension pro- Leacting into an aperture in said tubularmemr to prevent rotation of said element, and resilient means connected to the tubular member for urging said element into a tilted= position, said element when in said tilted position bein ada ted to tightly embraceand "rip sai con actor to mova from the member.

prevent its recombination, a tubular member for the tubular member for overcoming the urg-- ing tendenc of said resilient means and for moving sai element into itsvertical and release position.v

7. In combination, a support, a thimble extending therethrough having. a shoulder on one end for engaging one side of the support, a terminal nntassociated with the side of the support threaded on the thimble for securing the; same to the support, a sleeve member extending into said thimble and having its outer end provided with a shoul- I der to engage the shoulder end of said thimble, said sleeve shoulder limiting the movement of the sleeve-into the thimble, means associated with the inner end of the sleeve for limiting its outward movement, said thimble having'an aperture in its wall on the terminal side of the support, a shacklin element disposed in said thimble provide with an opening for the reception of a conductor, said shackling element having a. lateral ear extending into said a erture in the thimble and resilient means isposed in the thimble for at all times ,urgin the shackling element in a direction toward said shoulders, the. inner end of said sleeve being disposed to move the shackling element toward the resilient means to place it in its released position.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe. 

